SHAUN Goater's much-touted move away from Manchester City could be scuppered by the crippling financial crises facing First Division clubs.

The 33-year-old Blues legend has expressed a wish to finish his career with a final flourish away from the City of Manchester Stadium but even the most ardent would-be suitors are baulking at a possible six-figure transfer fee, plus the prolific striker's wages.

Sheffield United and Sunderland are the two sides leading the pack in the race for Goat, but the City man is beginning to face up to the prospect of returning to Carrington for pre-season training in 12 days time.

The Blades and the Black Cats are both among the favourites to be pressing for promotion at the end of next term but neither is awash with money.

There have been no takers so far for ex-City midfielder Michael Brown whose ??4m sale would have given Bramall Lane boss Neil Warnock money to spend.

In a dead transfer market Sunderland are also faced with trying to unload high earners like Thomas Sorensen, Claudio Reyna, Gavin McCann, Kevin Phillips and Tore Andre Flo before Mick McCarthy can wheel and deal.

City may have to give the Goat a free transfer and a similar sentiment could apply to defenders Paul Ritchie and Gerard Wiekens both of whom, like Goater, have a year to go on their current deals.

It has been confirmed, meanwhile, that the Blues will play the second leg of the UEFA Cup tie against TNS at the Millennium Stadium, the first time City will have played there.

The League of Wales have taken a gamble shifting the match to the giant arena for if City are four or five goals to the good after the first leg, it will severely reduce the number of Blues fans who will make the long, awkward journey on a Thursday night.

However, TNS supremo Mike Harris is sticking by the move.

"This is great news for TNS, the Welsh Premier League and Welsh football as a whole," he claimed.

"Our players and management are really excited at the prospect of playing at the greatest stadiums in the UK against one of England's finest teams, managed by a footballing legend like Kevin Keegan.

"If the Welsh Premier is to be taken seriously as a league then we've got to be playing games in the surrounds of the Millennium Stadium."